Government to help fund young people's Australia trip

The government said yesterday it will be forking out Lm5,000 (€11,500) to help Maltese youngsters who would like to accompany Archbishop Paul Cremona on a trip to Australia in July next year to celebrate World Youth Day.

Mgr Cremona on Tuesday invited young people to join him on the trip which will also enable the Archbishop to meet the Maltese communities in Melbourne and Sydney.

The government is making the money available so that an equal number of male and female youngsters, including a couple with special needs, can be assisted in their travel expenses.

The celebrations will be presided over by Pope Benedict XVI. Every three years, the Pope invites young people from all over the world to come together and join him in a particular city to celebrate World Youth Day.

The last occasion was held in Cologne, Germany in 2005. About 600 Maltese had travelled there for the celebration.

The youth section within the Education Ministry will be in charge of the procedure to administer the travel assistance being offered by the government.

The National Youth Council and the Diocesan Youth Commission have started contacts so that, where possible, Maltese youngsters can be accommodated with Maltese families in Australia.